Restaurant Suggestions

People always ask for suggestions for where to eat in London, so below are a few examples of what's available in London's West End:

Terence Conran's Mezzo

100 Wardour Street, Soho, LONDON. Telephone: 020 7314 4000

Opened in September 1995, Mezzo is described as one of the largest restaurants in Europe. It is in fact a group of several independent projects located in one large air-conditioned space, capable of seating up to 600 people at any one time. Mezzo consists of two restaurants, a private dining room, cafe, bakery, patisserie and choice of three bars. On two levels, the main building comprises of Mezzonine on the ground floor seating 180 and Mezzo downstairs which can accommodate 350.

Mezzonine is lively and energetic, where the food is served within minutes of the order being taken. To meet the needs of the restaurant, the Head Chef has developed a menu combining Mediterranean and Asian dishes: big bowls of Malay noodles with soy, beanshoots & sugar snaps or warm goats cheese tart with tapenade.
The design in Mezzonine is simple and uncluttered. Long lines of aluminium chairs and solid sycamore tables cover the 'Crema Marfil' honed marble floor, with taupe upholstered banquettes along the wall. On the walls, there is a series of specially commissioned black and white photographs by Helen Drew. They depict contemporary Soho in its various guises by night and day.

Meanwhile, downstairs in the more sophisticated Mezzo, the menu is more traditional with the emphasis on high quality, fresh ingredients used to create simple, classic dishes: grills, rotisseries, and of course, crustacea.
This area has a dramatic double height space, with a stunning wall of mirrors, refracted at different angles, and, to the side, a massive wall of fire glass, which descends through both floors separating the restaurants - Mezzo and Mezzonine - from their respective kitchens. Customers can enjoy the theatre of the restaurant, with the chefs on centre stage behind the glass fronted walls entertaining their audience with a performance of culinary skills.

Mezzo has three popular bars The Mezzonine Bar, situated underneath the glass atrium as you enter, is split into two sections. The first small bar, The Mosaic Bar, is faced with a striking whitemarble mosaic inset with a gold mosaic V, while the Long Bar curves round to meet the restaurant. Mezzoluna Bar, situated at the foot of the stairs is primarily for customers to Mezzo restaurant and is a great spot to watch the live music late at night.

In the heart of Soho, Mezzo was formerly the site of the famous Marquee Club where performers such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and U2 made legendary appearances. Maintaining its place in music history, Mezzo continues to be the venue for musicians who are at the forefront of the jazz, blues, Latin and soul industry today. Downstairs in Mezzo, the Alien Jones mural opens to reveal a specially designed stage, which extends onto a dance floor. Each evening either a jazz pianist or trio play from 8pm, and on Wednesday to Saturday nights from 10 o'clock, guests can enjoy live performances from bands at the forefront of contemporary dance jazz.

Cafe Mezzo has a separate entrance on Wardour Street. Open from 8.30am to 11pm, seven days a week, the focus is on freshly made breads, sandwiches, savouries and pastries to eat in or take away. The bar provides a large selection of beers, wines and spirits.

Can we book a table for you at MEZZO? - Just let us know when you book your break!

Soho Soho - A taste of Provence and the Mediterranean

11-12 Frith Street, Soho, LONDON. Telephone: 020 7494 3491

Soho may be the location, but Provence is the inspiration for the most fashionable venue on Frith Street. The heady scents and rich colours of Soho Soho's Mediterranean cuisine can be experienced in four distinct areas. On the ground floor, the buzzy Cafe-Bar and Rotisserie are popular hang outs for casual diners who enjoy observing the Soho street scene - brought closer in the Summer by folding glass doors which open on to a busy terrace. Upstairs the Salon Prive is ideal for large receptions and private dinner parties, while the stylish and elegant Restaurant is a favourite haunt for the media, film and theatre worlds. In its more tranquil atmosphere, diners can linger over a first class wine list and a menu distinguished by some of the most outstanding and original dishes from Provence and the Mediterranean.

Bertorelli's - Great Italian food with the old Bertorelli magic

Bertorelli's Restaurant and Cafe Wine Bar, 44a Floral Street, Covent Garden, LONDON. Telephone: 020 7836 3969.
Bertorelli's Restaurant, Cafe Italian and Bar, 19 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, LONDON. Telephone: 020 7636 4174.

Bertorelli's Covent Garden is on the doorstep of the Royal Opera House and some of London's most famous theatres. This fashionable Italian restaurant is one of the most famous venues in London's theatreland. Diners in its cool art deco interior, and in the informal Cafe Wine Bar below, frequently find themselves seated next to familiar faces from the worlds of opera and ballet. And the old Bertorelli magic which keeps luring them back is in no danger of fading. Both Bertorelli restaurants under the direction of Adrian Bertorelli, grandson of the founder, can hardly be said to have rested on their laurels. A refreshingly contemporary menu combines new Italian dishes with traditional favourites. Bertorelli's Restaurant, Cafe Italian and bar in Charlotte Street ensures that the philosophy remains as true today as it was eighty years ago: exclusive need not mean expensive.

Chez Gerard - The best steak-frites this side of Paris

31 Dover Street, Mayfair, LONDON. Telephone: 020 7499 8171.
8 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, LONDON. Telephone: 020 7636 4975.
The Opera Terrace - see below
119 Chancery Lane (off Fleet Street), LONDON. Telephone: 020 7405 0290.
64 Bishopsgate, LONDON. Telephone: 020 7588 1200.

The sounds, smells and tastes of France await you in Fitzrovia's Charlotte Street. With its panelled booths, luggage racks and zinc bar, Chez Gerard has the authentic feel of traditional Parisian brassieres of the 1930's. Together, with its four sister restaurants, Chez Gerard has become renowned for 'the best steak-frites this side of Paris'. But these venues are more than a mecca for carnivores - their fish and vegetarian dishes are similarly par excellance. Dine alfresco on one of the custom-designed terraces or benefit from that other admirable feature of the restaurant du quartier - a superb value fixed price dinner menu of three courses.

Chez Gerard at The Opera Terrace - Alfresco dining in the heart of Covent Garden

The Opera Terrace, The Market, The Piazza, Covent Garden, LONDON. Telephone: 020 7379 0666.

One of London's livelist entertainment and shopping areas, Covent Garden has always enjoyed a reputation as a magnet for lovers of good food and wine. Chez Gerard is now boosting that reputation even further with The Opera Terrace Restaurant, Cafe and Bar. Housed in an elegant glass conservatory within the former fruit and vegetable market, The Opera Terrace has quickly established itself as a favourite venue for discerning diners, offering superb French food and drink in three distinct areas - the Restaurant, the Cafe, and the Bar. The most distinguishing feature of all, however, is the splendid full-length terrace, laid with box-tree hedges, which overlooks the piazza and is accessible to all Chez Gerard customers.

Cafe Fish - Say fish, c'est fish

39 Panton Street, Haymarket, LONDON. Telephone: 020 7930 3999.

Within the restful cream and aquamarine decor of London's best value fish restaurant, beneath walls cluttered with maritime images and surf motifs, aficionados of all things piscine can experience the very finest seafood cuisine. Cafe Fish is in the heart of London's theatreland and is ideal for dining before or after the theatre. Dive in and discover it.

Scotts> - Service through the Silver Jubilees of six monarchs

20 Mount Street, Mayfair, LONDON. Telephone: 020 7629 5248.

On a Summer's day, a plate of oysters on Scotts Oyster Bar Terrace is a unique London experience. Founded in 1851 by John Scott, this famous Mayfair restaurant is a culinary British landmark in the heart of the capital. Developing from humble beginnings as an oyster warehouse, it grew to become the preferred rendezvous of some of the more famous names of the 20th century - including Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe, Winston Chuchill and Charlie Chaplin. Today the restaurant retains the glamour and the very best of English style - reflected in classic cuisine and elegant surroundings. The very name Scotts conjures up warm images of traditional cooking using the very best of British ingredients and service, and recently its menu has been carefully augmented to include typical British meat dishes, alongside the fresh seafood, oysters and caviar for which the restaurant will always be known.

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